Alge probs

[Meche]

OK, first off, I know I have about the worst possible setup to keep alge from growing. But I have some long term projects and equiptment that will combat this (I think). I just want to make sure I'm on the right track and that there isn't something easy and obvious I can do in the mean time.

Heres what I have now:
55 gal tank
a well lit area (new englands version of a florida sun room :doubt: )
4x48" T-5 HO (blues on from 7:30-11:30 and all on from 9:30-9:30)
Neon green alge that acts like the brown diatoms I had after cycle
Beginnings of coralline or cyano (I really like Coralline)
2-3 small bubble alge bubbles
Med nitrates, no P testing
Med/large daily meals (I'm not really willing to reduce too much)
Newely introduced (actually cured) LR approx 25#
3 margritas, 1 turbo grazer, 5ish mini hermits

Comming:
Skimmer
Sump w/ cheetos
RODI water (I setup using tap but I have since used distilled)
More LR
more snails and hermits

 

[shallowreef]

Sounds good but i would not do it in that order.

I would go
Lots o Water changes (RODI)
Skimmer
RODI
Sump
LR
Snails

 

[Krish]

I'd flush out that old tap water as well with ro/di first, then get that skimmer running. You are on the right track and atleast you know what's going on and what needs to be done

 

[shallowreef]

You could also cut down on the lights in your main tank. Until your fuge takes off.

 

[Meche]

How much light? I don't have anything that requires it, other than me.

The RODI I already have, just need to get it going.
The skimmer and sump go together (Im not too keen on thoes HOB skimmers). But other than that sounds good. Thanks.

 

[shallowreef]

Well if you run your lights for say 8hrs a day i would cut it down to 4-5hrs a day.

 

[Meche]

12 hrs full and 16 hrs for the blues

 

[shallowreef]

Okay i would drop it to this

6 full
8 blue

 

[liveforphysics]

Algae will grow in a tank.

Accept this, and join it. Give your algae a nice place to grow, and pick a species that harvests in a simple mannor (aka, non-rooting safe macroalgae like chaetomorpha).

I think getting natural sunlight is an exellent thing for your tank, and I wouldn't worry about cutting back feeding or photoperiod. Just make a place for algae to grow, like a sump, and let it naturally out-compete all (except bryopsis, chaeto can't outcompete bryopsis) other types of algae.

Its simple, its very low maintence (rip out a bucket full every couple weeks), it absorbs N and P like a monster, and provides other water quality bennifits.

 

[returnofsid]

Cutting back on feedings would also cut back on nutrients for the algae. If the tank is in a sun room, that's contributing greatly to your algae problem. Natural sunlight may be an excellent thing for nature...but not in an aquarium where you have an un-natural situation. Definately try and get some macro algaes growing quickly for competition. You don't mention if this is a FOWLR or a reef tank. That will make a big difference in the type of light cycle you use. You definately need about twice the Live Rock that you currently have. Also, do you have live sand, and how deep? Are you running bare bottom? Those are also things that need to be taken into consideration.

 

[liveforphysics]

Funny that my tank square across my front window doesn't have a trace of algae in the display

If you are going to feed, nutrients will continue to enter the tank. Your food is made of N and P, reguardless if its organic or inorganic when its enters.

Growing algae that you harvest is a way to remove N and P. Skimming can not effect existing NO3 or PO4 in the water, as both are inorganic molicules which do not increase surface tension on a bubble (makeing it immune to a skimmer).

If NO3 and PO4 are going to exist in the tank, algae of some sort is going to grow. Seems to make sence to have that algae be a harmless type you want(and most importantly is simple to remove) rather than little green hairs or a brown/green film.

You can definately have an overfed overstocked tank in direct sunlight with no pest algaes. You just need to understand that you have an enviroment that is creating fuel for lots of algae, and let it grow like crazy and take a stronghold just free floating in a clump in your sump.


Add lots of food, pull out clumps like this (shown below), enjoy watching the algae in your display fade away, and your glass/rock always staying clean.

This is the method that works for me. I realize that some others have failed trying this method, however, I have never seen someone fail who actually provided conditions for the chaeto to grow rapidly.

 

[Scooterman]

If you remove the problem up front you don't need to grow that nasty sea grass LOL! Either way there are many ways to keep a clean tank, I'd rather do it up front, quick & easy.

 

[shallowreef]

That is exactly what i am trying to get growing in my fuge. its started but is growing slowly.

 

[Krish]

That is exactly what i am trying to get growing in my fuge. its started but is growing slowly.

That could be a good thing Nick! Either you have the wrong lighting or better yet, you don't have much excess nutrients in your tank so it has nothing to feed on which is the way it ought to be

 

[shallowreef]

Well my cyano is still live and well so i must have some nutrients in there.

 

[Krish]

Ahh...Cyno is probably more hardy than chaeto. Anything that grows on its own IMO is usulally the best stuff

 

[shallowreef]

In all honesty i would love to have my sump filled with xenia. I'm talking xenia on my rocks and on my glass. Thats what i would really like to do because i think algae just looks gross. I would imagine that xenia export nutrients too right?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[Krish]

He's gone to a wedding so you can hijack Nick:lol: About the Xenia, I couldn't say...Never had any dealings with it before

 

[shallowreef]

Well my LFS suggested it to me and it sounded awesome. Plus it would be nice to not see all that nasty crap when i open the doors to my stand. LAtely though i have been having bad luck with my xenia. I can't seem to get them going. Don't ask me what my levels are because i do not know. My temp ranges anywhere from 77-80 through out the week. I was almost going to buy a brighter light (24" aqualight halide fixture) instead of my 24" PCs.

 

[NaH2O]

In all honesty i would love to have my sump filled with xenia. I'm talking xenia on my rocks and on my glass. Thats what i would really like to do because i think algae just looks gross. I would imagine that xenia export nutrients too right?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Absolutely, you can do this! Any coral or plant can be used in this way. Obviously, some are more effective for nutrient removal than others. Prune and harvest to encourage more growth, and also serve as your export.